State Rep. Dawnna Dukes loses her seat, Cole and Vela will runoff for District 46

Incumbent State Rep. Dawnna Dukes lost her Texas House District 46 seat (10 percent), as Jose "Chito" Vela (40 percent) and Sheryl Cole (39 percent) will have to face-off in a primary runoff election slated for May 22, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

Author:
KVUE

Published:03/07/18

Incumbent State Rep. Dawnna Dukes (Texas House District 46), who spoke with KVUE in Feb. about running for re-election, lost her seat, receiving only 10 percent of the votes. Jose "Chito" Vela (40 percent, 6,209 votes) edged out Sheryl Cole (39 percent, 6,000 votes) by 209 votes in the District 46 Democratic primary nomination.

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However, neither candidate received 50 percent of the vote or higher, which means Vela and Cole will have to face-off in a primary runoff election slated for May 22, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

Chito Vela.

The Democratic candidate who wins the primary nomination would face Republican contender Gabriel Nila in the general election, which will be held Nov 6.

Dukes was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1996. The Austin native spent the past 11-terms representing District 46, which encompasses parts of East Austin, Manor, and Pflugerville.